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Favorite True Crime Book?

I want to say I am sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum. I found it odd there wasn't just a books section but then I read the description of this forum. If I somehow misconstrued the description, I am sorry. I respect the site and it's policies.

So, ANYWAY, getting passed that...I am a HUGE true crime buff. I have read a lot of true crime books. I was curious to know, to those of you that are into true crime or even if you're not and have just happened to read a really good one; what is your favourite true crime book? Are you reading one right now or did you read one recently?

My answers, which I would like to recommend to everyone who are into things like this:

Right now I am reading Columbine by Dave Cullen. It is an interesting read.

My all-time favorite thusfar is Invisible Darkness by Stephen Williams (I also enjoyed his follow-up, Karla: A Pact With The Devil but not as much). They are both fascinating reads. I would recommend them to both anyone who is not familiar with the case of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka or to anyone who has been interested in the case. I think this is the most factual book written about them as well, it doesn't sugar-coat and paint Karla as a victim. Their story is twisted and unreal and Williams tells it in great detail with information not included in some of the other books out there.

It's probably complete bullshit, but I really enjoyed Maury Terry's The Ultimate Evil when I read it like a decade ago. It involves a lot of occult and conspiracy stuff, which appealed to me at the time.

It's probably complete bullshit, but I really enjoyed Maury Terry's The Ultimate Evil when I read it like a decade ago. It involves a lot of occult and conspiracy stuff, which appealed to me at the time.

Thanks. I am not looking to add any books to my list right now. I was just curious. I'm not as into the occult stuff anymore, but it sounds like it could be an interesting book. Although I am not looking to read more right now, I am going to save this forum's responses for when I run out of true crime books. I was mentioning to you about reading different genres and reading too much in the other thread; and my true cime list alone of what I have waiting to read has quite a few.

Also, I feel blasphemous saying this, but I haven't even read all of Chuck's books yet. I had to order some by mail after I couldn't find them here and had become more than just a casual fan. I own all of his books (except Fugitives and Refugees and obviously Damned). I have both ordered. I know Damned won't come for I think 6 months or so...but I had to pre-order it. By the time it's out I will be long finished all of Chuck's books and just itching for more.

I think anybody looking to read any true crime should read Helter Skelter. That book was just fascinating to me on so many levels.

Other than that I pretty much have liked anything I've read by John Douglas.

I have actually moved The Ice Man by Philip Carlo into my "to read" pile recently. So hopefully I will be getting to that soon.

Also, one of my favorite books that I read last year, Columbine by Dave Cullen. I recommend this to everybody I know.

Thanks for the suggestions. We obviously have some similar interests. I have read Helter Skelter, actually two times. I have a book called Charles Manson Today in my "to read" pile and I am looking forward to reading it. Like I mentioned, I am reading Columbine right now. Really enjoying it. It is quite captivating. I'm glad to know that as a whole it remains a good book. I am not even finished it yet and I am reommeding it to people too.

The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi. The book is divided in two parts, the first told by journalist Spezi, who has been 'investigating' the murders of the killer since they first hit the city of Florence. The second part is told by Preston who along with Spezi try to find the identity of the killer.

I really like this book called The Killer Book of True Crime. It has a lot of stories about different types of crimes. I think they also wrote The Killer Book of Serial Killers or something like that. I may pick it up someday. It has everytime of crime from terrorism to robbery to mass murder. Plus it also has different interesting facts about the type of killers and their jargon.

What book was written from Manson's perspective? I think besides Helter Skelter, I've only read The Family by Ed Sanders (who sang for The Fugs), but I'm pretty sure it wasn't that one. I just randomly searched for "Manson Speaks!" on Amazon without the exclamation mark considering it seems like it would be an appropriate title for a book of this kind and the search results came up with a pricey out of print CD. Sounds like it might be a recording of him reading his poetry or something.

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